2025 Ryder Cup preview: how to watch, team comparison & prediction
When is it and how do I follow?
Course: Bethpage Black Course, New York, USA
Dates: September 26-28, 2025
Days 1 & 2: The foursomes matches begin at 7:10am local time (ET) / 4:10am PT / 12:10pm UK. The four-ball matches then commence at 12:25pm local (ET) / 9:25am PT / 5:25pm UK.
Day 3: The singles matches begin at 12:02pm local (ET) / 9:02am PT / 5:02pm UK.
TV & Streaming: USA – USA Network (Friday) & NBC (Saturday & Sunday), while the action can be streamed live on the NBC Sports app and Peacock / UK – Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Go
We have a fascinating 2025 edition of the Ryder Cup to look forward to this weekend on the Black Course of Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, New York.
The hosts, USA, will be led by captain Keegan Bradley while Luke Donald will lead Europe’s attempts to retain the trophy after winning in Rome two years ago.
The 16 1/2 - 11 ½ triumph at the Marco Simone Golf and County Club was memorable but Europe will now be fired up to win on American soil for the first time since 2012.
We take a delve into the numbers around the 24 players that will feature this weekend and look at how the two teams measure up.
How do the two teams measure up?
There is a clear advantage in terms of world ranking with the USA averaging 11.7 compared to 23.67 for Europe. That is distorted a little due to Jon Rahm coming in at 73, which is not representative of the Spaniard’s quality.
The US however have six of the top eight and it is fair to say that individually, it is hard to argue the fact that the hosts have the higher calibre of player.
Experience in the Ryder Cup is a key ingredient however and Europe firmly have the advantage in this department.
Four of the 12 Americans are making their debut in the tournament at Bethpage – JJ Spaun, Russell Henley, Ben Griffin and Cameron Young. Just Rasmus Hojgaard is the sole rookie for Team Europe.
The players that have Ryder Cup experience still see Europe with far more experience however. They have played 128 matches compared to 56 for the US and have 32 participations compared to 15.
Interestingly, the points percentage is incredibly close. The hosts have 53.57% while the Europeans are close behind on 53.52%. For those that have played before, there is very little separating them.
Who to look out for?
For the US, Patrick Cantlay (five wins, two losses and one half) has picked up an impressive 5.5 points from eight matches.
Compatriot Justin Thomas also has an outstanding record of seven wins, four losses and two halves, totalling eight points from 13 matches.
For Europe, Tommy Fleetwood has seven wins, three losses and two halves meaning he has eight points from 12 matches.
Jon Rahm has always risen to the occasion winning six, losing three and halving three, with 7.5 points from 12 available.
Superstar Rory McIlroy led the way last time out with four points from his five matches and he will look to lead from the front once again.
World number one Scottie Scheffler has taken 3.5 points from his seven across two previous Ryder Cups so he will definitely be looking to improve his points percentage in New York this weekend.
Who are we picking?
Home advantage is significant in the Ryder Cup and there will be an incredibly partizan crowd in New York.
The presence of US President Donald Trump will only intensify the spotlight on Friday’s proceedings but the pressure is arguably on the Americans more than Europe.
We like the unity and camaraderie among the Europeans coming into this one and we like the experience they have in the ranks.
They may be underdogs but we like their chances here.
Tip: Consider Europe +2 points at 4/5 this weekend
